The People's Temple

The reason to do the play now is not to relive this horrible event, but to look at the underlying history that led to this tragedy, and to understand the social and political context out of which the movement known as Peoples Temple was born. In doing so, we can hopefully learn from both their triumphs and their mistakes.

— Leigh Fondakowski, Writer of The People's Temple

The People's Temple

Written by

Leigh Fondakowski

in collaboration withGreg Pierotti, Stephen Wangh, and Margo Hall

Directed by D.B. SchroederShardai Davis, Stage Manager

Starring:

Friday, October 6, 2017 – Sunday, October 22, 2017

On November 18, 1978, 918 Americans died in the jungles of Guyana in a place named Jonestown. Many know this as a story of mass suicide where crazed cultists assassinated a congressman and then drank poisoned kool-aid, but there is much more to be told. Puzzle Piece Theatre begins its fifth season with this docu-drama form of theatre that preserves the humanity of a group of socially-concsious individuals who wanted to leave the world a better place.

Interested in learning more about The People's Temple? Here is an NPR interview with the playwright, Leigh Fondakowski, from 2005 when the play first premiered at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre in Berkeley, California. Have a listen…